Ventilator



March 5, 1968 w. G. KORFF 3,371,590

VENTILATOR F'led Jan, 24, 1966 INVENTOR WOLFRAM 6I KQQFF aww? A77 rop/vins' United States Patent Office 3,371,590 Patented Mai'. 5, 1968 3,371,590 VENTILATOR Wolfram G. Korlf, Granada Hills, Calif., assigner to Western Engineering & Mfg. Co., Los Angeles, Calif., a corporation of California Filed Jan. 24, 1966, Ser. No. 522,622 2 Claims. (Cl. 98-42) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLSURE A ventilator having lan arrangement of baflles and rain gutters adapted to vent air through a building roof while preventing rain from entering the building, the ventilator being assembled in a manner affording structural rigidity for long spans and affording damper actuation without torsional bending of the damper.

The present invention relates to a ventilator, and more particularly to a Ventilator adapted for a rooftop installation to upwardly vent air from the interior of a building.

In many buildings, such as those which house manufacturing facilities or which are located in warm climates, there is a natural upward flow of heated gases. Various ventilators have been developed in the prior art for allowing the free escape of these heated gases through the building roof. These ventilators normally provide a serpentine passage for the escape of the heated gases so that rainfall cannot pass directly downwardly through the gas or air passages. Rather, the ventilator provides an arrangement of rain gutters which catches the rain while yet allowing the desired upward ilow of heated air. It is desirable that such ventilators have a relatively long span so as to minimize the number of individual installations required for venting a building.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a ventilator for a building roof installation, and in which the ventilator is made from relatively lightweight sheet material components which are secured together in a manner affording high structural rigidity over long spans, while yet permitting free escape of upwardly flowing air and also entrapment and drainage of rain water.

It is a further object to provide a ventilator of the aforementioned character in which the various components are adapted to be shipped in knock-down form and easily assembled on the job site.

Yet another object of the invention is the provision of a ventilator of the aforementioned character including llrst elongated, transversely spaced horizontal members and second elongated, transversely spaced horizontal members connected to a plurality of longitudinally spaced and vertically oriented transverse baille plates, and a plurality of elongated, vertically oriented separators connected to the bailles and to the second members to rigidity the structure against longitudinal buckling or bending under loads.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a ventilator of the aforementioned character and including a plurality of elongated planar dampers mounted upon rods which are rotatable to move the dampers between vertical positions which enables upward air llow through the ventilator, and closed horizontal positions obstructing such air llow, and wherein the rods are secured to the dampers by a plurality of longitudinally spaced brackets which overlie and are secured to the lateral portions of the dampers, and are also secured to the rods by fasteners whereby the dampers may be rotated without undesirable torsional bending of the dampers.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a ventilator of the aforementioned character which is simple to operate, easy to maintain, and relatively inexpensive to manufacture and install.

Other objects and features of the invention will become apparent from consideration of the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a ventilator according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view taken along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged detail end elevational view taken in the area indicated by the numeral 3 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged detail cross-sectional view taken in the area indicated by the numeral 4 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged detail view taken along the line 5-5 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. y6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along the line 6 6 of FIG. 5.

Referring now to the drawings, there is illustrated a ventilator 10 according to the present invention and com prising, generally, a plurality of elongated, vertically oriented, and transversely spaced separators 12; a plurality of elongated, generally horizontally oriented upper members 14 secured at their upper extremities to the separators 12; a plurality of elongated, generally horizontally oriented intermediate members 16 disposed between the separators 12; a plurality of elongated, generally horizontally oriented lower members 18 secured along their lower extremities to the separators 12; and a plurality of transverse bale members 20 longitudinally spaced along and rigidly secured to the upper members 14, to the separators 12, to the intermediate members 16, and to the lower members 18 to rigidify the same against longitudinal bending or buckling under loads. In addition, a plurality of transverse end plates 22 are securedv in position adjacent the opposite ends of the intermediate members 16, and a surrounding wind band 24 is suitably secured to certain of the components just described, as will become apparent hereinafter.

The ventilator 10 is designed for installation on a building roof (not shown) to exhaust air masses from the building by the convection current principle, the air masses llowing upwardly and out of the ventilator without assistance from fans or the like. The ventilator cornponents provide rain troughs or gutters to catch falling rain and prevent it from entering the building, while yet aording a serpentine passage for upward air llow through the ventilator. Unless otherwise indicated, all of the components of the ventilator 10 are preferably fabricated of relatively lightweight, light gage sheet material, such as metal, which may be painted or otherwise protected with a corrosion resistant coating.

The ventilator 1li is adapted to be mounted over a rectangular opening in the building roof. The usual roof opening is bounded by a rectangular curb rising above the surface of the roof, and the ventilator is mounted to the curbing, as will be seen.

As best viewed in FIG. 2, the upper extremity of each of the separators 12 includes a laterally and upwardly inclined flange which is secured along its length to the underside of an associated one of the upper members 14 by a plurality of usual sheet metal screws 26.

Each assembly 28 includes a headed bolt 30 upon which is mounted a soft neoprene washer 32 which bears against the threaded shank of the bolt 3() and prevents water from passing through the opening in the separator 12 and in the lower member 18 through which the bolt 30 is disposed. In addition, the bolt 30 mounts a washer 34 located between the neoprene washer 32 and the head of the bolt 30, and a washer 34 located adjacent the upper surface of the lower flange of the separator 12. A usual nut 36 is threaded upon the bolt 30 to maintain the components in watertight, assembled relation.

As will become apparent hereinafter, the deep web of each separator 12 provides exceptional resistance to bending of the assembled upper member 14 and lower member 18 associated with it so that the ventilator 10 can be made sufliciently long to span distances of 2O feet o1' more without appreciable deflection.

Each upper member 14 includes a pair of opposite, laterally and upwardly inclined portions 38 which define an upper rain gutter 40. Moreover, the lateral edges of the portions 38 of each pair of adjacent upper members are speced apart to define an upper opening 42.

The lateral edge of each of the portions 38 also includes a coextensive flange 44 which defines a track whereby the opposed flanges 44 of an adjacent pair of upper members 14 are adapted to longitudinally slidably receive a screen (not shown) to prevent insects, birds, and flying deris from passing downwardy through the upper opening 42.

Each intermediate member 16 is characterized by a central portion which is upwardly deformed to form an inverted, V-shaped space to provide clearance for an associated damper 46, as will be seen. Prom this central portion of the intermediate member 16 extend laterally and upwardly inclined portions 48 defining intermediate rain troughs or gutters S8. The portions 48 terminate in depending or down-turned flanges 52 which are spaced below and underlie the lateral edges of the portions 38 of the upper members 14.

Each lower member 18 includes a generally flat or horizontal central portion and laterally and upwardly inclined side portions 54 which define a lower rain gutter 56 divided into a pair of adjacent portions by the associated one of the separators 12. The lateral edges of the portions S4 of each pair of adjacent lower members 18 are spaced apart to define a lower opening S8, and these lateral edges are spaced `below and underlie the lateral edges of the associated one of the intermedate members 16.

j Each of the baffle members 2t) is fitted within the space defined by one of the portions 38, the associated separator 12, and the associated portion 54 of the lower member 18. Each baille member includes a vertical flange, and the vertical flanges of the pair of baflle members 20 on opposite sides of each separator 12 are secured along their lengths to the separator by a plurality of usual machine screws 60.

In addition, the upper extremity of each baille member includes a horizontal tab or flange which is secured to the adjacent portion 3S of the associated upper member 14 by a usual machine screw 62 and the lower extremity of the -baflle member includes a flange secured by a machine screw 64 to the adjacent portion 54 of the associated lower member 18.

In this manner, the upper members 14, the lower members 18, the separators 12, and the baille members 20 are integrally secured together, thereby supporting the separators against buckling and enabling the deep web of each separator 12 to bear relatively high loads in longitudinal bending. ln this regard, structural rigidity is particularly enhanced by virtue of the I-beam-like shape or structure afforded by the securement of the lower extremities of the separators 12 to the mid-portions of the lower members 18 and the securement of the upper extremities of the separators 18 to the upper members 14.

As best viewed in FIG. 3, each battle member 2t) also includes a cut-out or notched portion 64 within which is received one of the flanges 52 of the associated intermediate member 16. The finger or inward projection 66 defined by the provision of the notch 64 is bent downwardly at its upper end to form a flange which is secured to the adjacent intermediate member 16 by a usual machine scrcw 68. The flanges of the baille members 20 are thus readily accessible for one-site assembly of the ventilator 10.

As particularly shown in FlG. 1, a plurality of edge connected mounting plates 70 are disposed across the opposite ends of the ventilator 10. The lower margins of the plates 70 are secured in any suitable fashion to an angle iron (not shown) which is attached to the usual curb of the roof opening. The upper edges are formed to complementally fit beneath the undersides of the lower members 18 at opposite ends thereof. As best viewed in FIG. 2, the plates 70 are fixed in position by usual machine screws disposed through the plates 70 and secured to a plurality of angle brackets 72 attached to the portions 54 of the lower members 18. In this regard, nuts, and bolts or the like, rather than machine screws, can be used throughout the ventilator 1G if desired for greater structural rigidity, and those fasteners associated with the gutters made waterproof where necessary to prevent leakage.

The mounting plates '/'tl thus support the opposite ends of the lower members 18 and the structure secured thereto. In addition, the plates 70 include upwardly extending portions 74 located intermediate the lower members 18, each of which includes an opening having a suitable nylon bearing or the like (not shown) to rotatably receive the ends of a damper rod 76 which, as will be seen, is operative to rotate the dampers 46.

A plurality of splash plates 78 are disposed beneath and at opposite ends of each of the intermediate members 16, closing the ends of the open space defined beneath the intermediate members 16 and the subjacent dampers 46. The sides of each splash plate 78 are secured by suitable machine screws (not shown) to the adjacent baille members 2t), while the lower portions of the plates 78 overlie the portions 74 of the mounting plates 70 to prevent falling rain from splashing through the lower openings 58 and into the interior of the building.

The ends of the separators 12 extend beyond the ends of the members 14, 16, and 18, and mount suitable brackets (not shown) to which the end sections of the wind band 24 are secured by usual machine screws, the wind band 24 thus being mounted in spaced relation with respect to the gutters 40, 5t), and 56 so that rain water may drain off the ends of the gutters and onto the roof surrounding the curb of the roof opening.

The side sections of the wind band 24 are secured to the vertical flanges of the adjacent baille members 20 by a plurality of usual machine screws 8G, as best viewed in FIG. 2, the wind band 24 being secured at its corners and abutting sections in any suitable manner, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. In addition, the upper extremities of the wind band side sections are inwardly inclined into the configuration of a half section of one of the upper members 14 to facilitate drainage of rain water away from the ventilator 1t). The upper flanges of the side batlles 20 are secured to these inclined sections of the wind band, while the baffle lower flanges are secured to elongated side troughs 82. The troughs 82 are formed to constitute a half section of one of the lower members 18 to define side gutters which drain rain water to the side and away from the ventilator. The lower ends of these side troughs 82 are secured by usual machine screws to lengths of side curb flashing 84 located at opposite sides of the ventilator, and the flashing itself is secured to the roof opening curb in any suitable manner.

Each damper 46 extends longitudinally and coextensive with the .adjacent portions 54 of a pair 0f the lower members 18 and are rotatable by the damper rods 76 between the horizontal positions illustrated, closing the lower openings 58, and vertical positions, in which air may freely flow upwardly through the openings 58. The damper rods 76 each rest within an elongated central groove provided in the associated damper 46 and is secured to the damper 46 by a plurality of transverse brackets 86 which are spaced at regular intervals along the length of the rod 76. As best viewed in FIGS. 5 and 6, each bracket 86 includes opposed legs which extend over and engage upon the upper surfaces of the opposite side portions of the damper. The opposed legs are secured to the sheet material of the damper 46 by a plurality of usual screws 88, and an integral stifiening rib 90 extends along the upper side of the bracket 86 to provide structural rigidity.

The central portion of each bracket 86 overlies its damper rod and is secured to it by a pair of screws 92 extending through the bracket 86 and into the interior of the rod 76. The pair of screws 92 are disposed radially inwardly in radially offset relation to provide optimum torsional rigidity for the connection between the bracket and the damper rod. With this arrangement, each damper rod 76 may be actuated for rotation at a single point along its length, and the torsion imparted is transmitted throughout the length of the damper 46 by means of the interconnections between the rod 76 and the brackets 86. In this manner the dampers .are prevented from twisting or buckling.

As previously indicated, the damper rods 76 are rotatably mounted at their opposite ends within openings provided in the mounting plates 70. Each damper 46 is rotated by means of a transversely extending actuator rod 94 which mounts a pivot plate 96 at one end for one damper, a pivot plate 98 at the opposite end for another damper, and as many intermediate pivot plates 100 as there are remaining dampers 46. The upper extremity of each of the plates 96, 98 .and 100 is pivotally connected to a depending element 102 fastened to the underside of an associated damper 46. In addition, the lower extremity of the pivot plate 98 mounts one end of a pulley line 104 which is trained over a pulley 106 secured to the curb. The line 104 extends downwardly into the building so that a person in the building can pull the line 104 downwardly to simultaneously rotate all of the dampers 46 to their horizontal or closed positions. The line 104 is suitably tied or secured in this position to maintain the dampers closed.

A tension spring 108 is connected at one end to the lower extremity of the pivot plate 96 and at the other end to the curb flashing 84 to normally bias the dampers 46 to their open positions.

From the foregoing it is seen that a ventilator has been provided which is relatively structurally rigid by reason of the interconnections of the separators 12 and the members 14, 16, 18 and 20. This enables the ventilator 10 to be made relatively long for spanning large roof openings and yet be sufficiently strong to withstand high wind loads, for example, the weight of a person lying on the ventilator during la maintenance operation or the like.

In addition, when the dampers 46 are open the arrangement of the gutters 40, 50 and 56 permits air to pass upwardly from the building, through the lower openings 58, through the open spaces adjacent the bafiie members 20, and upwardly through the upper openings 42. The intermediate rain gutters 50 prevent water from falling directly downwardly through the lower openings 58; the lower gutters 56 catch any rain which is driven at an angle against the separators 12; and the upper rain gutters 40 catch any rain water which would otherwise fall directly downwardly into the lower rain gutters 56. This is an important feature of the structure in that the upper rain gutters 40 thus prevent any rain from falling directly downwardly and into the lower rain gutters 56, and splashing water outwardly and downwardly through the lower openings 58, and into the building interior.

Various modifications and changes may be made with regard to the foregoing detailed description without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A ventilator comprising: a plurality of elongated, vertically oriented, and transversely spaced separators;

a plurality of elongated, generally horizontally oriented upper members, each being rigidly secured along its 'length to the upper extremity of one of said separators, each including laterally and upwardly inclined portions defining an upper rain gutter, the lateral edges of said portions of each pair of adjacent said upper members being spaced apart to define an upper opening;

a plurality of elongated, generally horizontally oriented intermediate members, each disposed between adjacent ones of said separators and each including laterally and upwardly inclined portions defining an intermedi-ate rain gutter and having lateral edges spaced below and underlying said lateral edges of the adjacent pair of said upper members;

a plurality of elongated, generally horizontally oriented lower members, each being rigidly secured along its length to the lower extremity of one of said separators, each including laterally and upwardly inclined portions defining a lower rain gutter divided into adjacent portions by the associated one of said separators, the lateral edges of said portions of each pair of adjacent said lower members being spaced apart to define a lower opening and spaced below and underlying said lateral edges of one of said intermediate members whereby air is vented upwardly through said lower opening, between the lateral edges of said lower members and said intermediate members, between the lateral edges of said intermediate members and said upper members, and out of said upper opening;

a plurality of transverse baiiie members longitudinally spaced along and rigidly secured to said upper mem bers, said separators, said intermediate members, and said lower members to rigidity the same against buckling under loads;

a plurality of elongated damper plates operative between horizontal positions closing said lower openings and vertical positions opening said lower openings;

a plurality of elongated elements coextensive with said dampers, respectively, for rotating said dampers, and arranged generally upon the centerlines of said dampers;

a plurality of transverse brackets longitudinally spaced along and overlying said elements and having opposite extremities attached to said dampers on opposite sides of said elements; and

a pair of fasteners for each of said brackets disposed through said brackets and said elements to secure the same together, each of said pair of fasteners being radially offset relative to one another to constrain said dampers against torsional twisting during rotation of said elements.

2. A ventilator comprising:

a plurality of longitudinally extending, generally horizontally oriented upper members which are transversely spaced apart in side-by-side relation to thereby define an Lipper opening between each pair of adjacent said upper members;

a plurality of longitudinally extending, generally horibontally oriented intermediate members, one disposed beneath each one of said upper openings;

a plurality of longitudinally extending, generally horizontally oriented lower rnembers underlying said upper members, respectively, and transversely spaced apart in side-by-side relation to thereby define a lower opening between each pair of adjacent said lower members, each said lower opening underlying one of said intermediate members whereby air may and the associated said upper and lower members constitutes a substantially I-shape truss structure afbe vented upwardly through said lower openings, around said intermediate members, and out of said upper openings; 5 a plurality of transverse baffle members longitudinally spaced along and rigidly secured `to said upper members, said intermediate members, and said lower 'fording longitudinal stiffening of the ventilator over a relatively long span.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS members. 865,961 9/1907 Zilly 98-42 and a plurality of longitudinally extending, vertically I0 {hnson l" "5898;42 oriented separators made of sheet material and dis- 3107598 10/11963 Rag et a 'ST 24X posed between said upper members and said lower u y 8- 2 members, respectively, each separator being rigidly ,3 secured along the length of its upper extremity to ROBERT A OLLARY Pllmwy Examme" the adjacent One of said upper members, and to the 15 EDWARD I. MICHAEL, Examiner.

adjacent one of said lower members along the length M A ANTONAKAS Assistant Examine. of its lower extremity whereby each said separator l 

